Thousands of Israel supporters are expected to attend a rally outside the country’s embassy in central London on Sunday.

The two-hour event, led by the Zionist Federation (ZF) and backed by 60 organisations, will recreate the sirens heard by Israeli citizens since Operation Protective Edge began last week. Deactivated missiles will also be on display.

Pro-Israel groups have denied that the closure of the Israeli-owned EcoStream store is a victory forboycotters.

The shop, which sold SodaStream products made in a West Bank factory, was closed last week, with SodaStream saying that, after a two-year test period, it had decided to focus its business in other areas.

Whatever doubts some may have had about the viability of opening a shop in Brighton in 2012 to sell their products, it was refreshing to hear assurances from the SodaStream management at the time that "we have no intention either to be the next Ahava in the UK or to close our store - we will not back down".

The closure by SodaStream of its Ecostream shop and the reported decision by John Lewis to stop selling the Israeli company's drinks products can hardly be regarded as a positive development. Not surprisingly it has been hailed as a great victory for the BDS movement.

The Israeli-owned EcoStream shop in Brighton has closed in the wake of weekly boycott protests.

EcoStream, which sold SodaStream recyclable bottles made in the West Bank settlement of Mishor Adumim, was boarded up on Monday. This time last year, the management had reported a 40 per cent rise in sales.